PURPOSE: This rule allows the use of anesthesiologist assistants in hospitals.

1. (1) Anesthesiologist assistant—A person who meets each of the following conditions:

   1. (A) Has graduated from an anesthesiologist assistant program accredited by the American Medical Association’s Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation or by its successor agency;
   2. (B) Has passed the certifying examination administered by the National Commission on Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants;
   3. (C) Has active certification by the National Commission on Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants;
   4. (D) Is currently licensed as an anesthesiologist assistant in the state of Missouri; and
   5. (E) Provides health care services delegated by a licensed anesthesiologist.
2. (2) Notwithstanding any other rule in this chapter, anesthesia in hospitals shall be administered only by qualified anesthesiologists, physicians or dentists trained in anesthesia, certified nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologist assistants or supervised students in an approved educational program. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 334.400 to 334.430, RSMo, or the rules of the Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts, the governing body of every hospital shall have full authority to limit the functions and activities that an anesthesiologist assistant performs in such hospital. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any hospital to hire an anesthesiologist who is not already employed as a physician prior to August 28, 2003.

AUTHORITY: sections 192.006 and 197.080, RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed Jan. 16, 2007, effective Aug. 30, 2007.

*Original authority: 192.006, RSMo 1993, amended 1995 and 197.080, RSMo 1953, amended 1993, 1995.